CCR’s, Restrictions and …

This article is no substitute for good, local legal advice but should provide you at least a range of things to look for if you’re a new purchaser or haven’t bought in many years.

Deeds: Most people never read the deed on their potential house, before buying. Some restrictions, if any, will be spelled out in this deed, and it should be made available to you from the listing agent, via your buyer agent or by getting it yourself at the local municipality.

Appraiser/Surveyor Discoveries: Often, it’s when a property changes hands that issues and problems arise. I helped a buyer purchase a property in which the neighbors—50 years ago–built a garage 2 feet over the property line on my buyer’s property. Because the seller had been in the house the entire time, the issue of construction permits, zoning, etc., didn’t come up 50 years ago, so no one knew. The new deed had to reflect the encroachment.

Rights of Ways and Easements: Many deeds for urban and suburban parcels of land have reference to the access needed and granted to utility companies. The ability to dig, work on, and repair lines that pass over your property are critical. Likewise, in most cities and towns, the local entity owns some part of the edge of your property for other utility uses, to trim trees from phone lines, etc. As well, many parcels of land close to lakes, streams and the like may have pedestrian path rights-of-way that have been granted for generations, or to certain people or local families. Read the deed. Always.

HOA: Home Owner Associations are not new, but they are definitely becoming more popular as people seek to control their neighbors’ actions, have group monies pooled to pay for common-interest expenses and the like. HOA’s are often referenced in deeds, but the details of the HOA’s are not in the deeds, but in separate documents. Most states require that potential purchases have a chance to review these documents within a certain time frame. Be sure you do.

Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions: These are sets of rules and regulations that restrict who can do what, when, and how, and under what conditions. Fencing, house colors, yard art, signage, noise, pets…there are thousands of things that can be restricted by CC&R’s. Even simple things like whether or not you can install a clothesline (and more and more neighborhoods are saying no).

Liens: When buying a property, be sure your agent goes to the place where property records are kept in your area and checks the title. Unpaid bills often mean that service providers will put a lien, or a legal claim on your property, which means these need to be paid off when then property changes hands. It’s more common that you think as owners have chosen to expand and improve, and then run into unexpected circumstances in which selling in a must and bills for work go unpaid.

There are a lot of intentional, unintentional, historical and legal reasons why others may have at least a partial claim on your property. Be sure you do your due diligence before buying!

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R. Poore Charlotte, NCVery Professional...

We were recently switched to Community Association Management with your buyout of Cline & Company. I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much of an asset our Portfolio Manager is to your company. The Manager made our transition from Cline Company seamless and the attention we receive from the Manager and your company in general is unmatched. Not to mention the tools and options made available to us. I think I can speak for myself, fellow board members, and also our community in saying that w…

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A good friend of mine who is a recent past president of a community here in Charlotte contacted me this evening to ask who we used for property management. I told him that the only game in town was Community Association Management! I also mentioned that you may be a young company in years but are now one of the top 5 HOA management companies in the Carolinas. We are very happy with our decision to use Community Association Management.

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S. Reavis; Charlotte, NCImpressive!

When our new HOA was looking for a management company, several places that we contacted wouldn’t even give us the time of day because our community is so small that we weren’t worth their time and effort. In contrast, KDK Property Management (now part of Community Association Management) has provided our HOA with over a year of great service at an unbeatable price! The employees have frequently gone above and beyond the terms of our contract to protect the best interests of our neighborhood. F…

Hilary WadePresidentLaurel Village HOA

“In the past, we felt like we did not get much support due to our size or the lack of effort from the person handling our account. I do not feel that way with Community Association Management. Our Property Manager has been very active in what we are trying to accomplish in our community and providing us with a variety of options. We are currently going through trying to figure out what to do about our roofing situation. The manager provided us good options and now we are in the process of starti…

Phenomenal Support!Darlene Z. Charlotte, NC

Solid Customer Service!
Your focus on solid customer service has made the transition go as smoothly as possible and reassures us we made the right decision to go with Community Association Management. I personally appreciate the way you communicate, your availability, and the way you make things happen.

J. WilliamsArdrey Place - Charlotte, NC

I like the professionalism of Community Association Management and the reporting. our Portfolio Manager is great! Good to work with and responsive. I also like Community Association Management being involved with legislative issues.

M. EdgerPresidentColony Crossing

“Community Management is a very professionally run organization, with all of the aids and assistance necessary to help a HOA board of directors answer to their community’s needs.”